We're on our way as far northwesterly along the Lake Superior shoreline as we can reach, before the 'snow flies' and then we'll head southerly for other 'pursuits'. For us that will mean returning home before Octobers' end ... we have about 3 weeks for LOAFin Around.
We'll follow the colours and we'll hike.
Viewing Tips:
If you're a curious individual, click on these links for additional information.
If you're not, then ... double click on any photo to bring up a scrollable gallery of all photos in this post and eliminate all text.
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FERRIS Provincial Park
Ferris Provincial Park is in northeastern Northumberland County in Ontario, Canada. The park occupies an area of 1.98 km2 (0.76 sq mi) next to the Trent River in Campbellford, Ontario. Within the park are 10 kilometres of hiking and mountain biking trails and a suspension bridge over Ranney Gorge. Two campground areas offer 150 sites for car camping. The park's land was originally owned by James Marshall Ferris and his descendants. The province acquired the lands in 1960 (Cock farm section in 1969) and opened the provincial park in 1962. The park was threatened by closure in 1994, but saved by efforts from the members of the local Rotary Club. The Ranney Gorge suspension bridge was built by 8th Wing CFB Trenton from 2002 to 2004. (Source: Wikipedia)
Along the trails ...
Ranney Falls Trail - 1 km (Easy)
This trail follows the original roadway to Ferris Provincial Park before looping back along the river, where there are magnificent views of the Ranney Gorge Suspension Bridge and Ranney Falls. The gorge edge habitat supports different vegetation from the rest of the park, including the regionally rare Chinquapin Oak. (Source: Ontario Parks)
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Step stones. |
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Many sections of the ancient stone walls have deteriorated. |
River Gorge Trail - 3.5 km (Easy to Moderate)
This trail offers magnificent views of the Trent River gorge from the Ranney Gorge Suspension Bridge, before continuing downstream past the old Ferris Quarry and onto the legendary “sheep wash”, now a picnic area. The trail continues south, following the river’s edge for more fantastic views of the Trent River. On your way back upstream the trail travels through meadows and past Ferris’s unique stone fences, some of which have recently been rebuilt. (Source: Ontario Parks)
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| Stock photo. |
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Dann found a nearby 'pile of rocks' and built a firepit ... |
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... for Helen |
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KILLBEAR Provincial Park
KillBear Provincial Park is ecologically significant for its large and varied types of shoreline. The wetlands of the park support significant animal species including Spotted turtles, Blanding's turtles and eastern Massasauga rattlesnakes. Uplands support both the Hognose snake and five-lined Skink, both of which are considered species of special concern. There is also a population of Fox snakes, which use offshore islands extensively, and overwinter in hibernacula in the area. The park is one area within a larger significant landscape, the 30,000 islands along the eastern coast of Georgian Bay, which comprise the world's largest freshwater archipelago. (Source: Wikipedia)
Along the trails ...
Lighthouse Point Trail - 0.8 km loop (Easy)
This short trail takes you to the tip of Killbear Point and offers superb views of Georgian Bay and interesting rockscapes. (Source: Ontario Parks)
Lookout Point Trail - 3.5 km loop (Moderate)
This trail winds through a variety of forest types and rock outcrops and provides a breathtaking view of Georgian Bay at the midway point. (Source: Ontario Parks)
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Peter and Liam; KillBear TrailCutters and Journeymakers. ' Journeymakers are those people who elevate your travel experience with the passion and enthusiasm for the place they call home and for the interest and kindness they give you, the traveller. ' |
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Peter & Liam's latest finished wetland boardwalk; making hiking easier for everyone. |
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PANCAKE BAY Provincial Park
Pancake Bay Provincial Park was established in 1968. Pancake Bay is a sheltered, south-facing bay on the eastern shore of Lake Superior, north of Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, Canada. A 5.5-kilometre (3.4 mi) sand beach lines the bay of which 3.5 km are within the park boundary. The bay is sand filled and shallow, which helps to warm the lake. Ancient beach ridges are visible more inland. The ecology of the region is characteristic of the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence transition forest, but is a northern shelter for more southerly flora and fauna. The region is home to a number of regionally rare and vulnerable species, including Braun's holly fern, maidenhair spleenwort, sand reed and the majestic peregrine falcon. (Source: Wikipedia)
Along the trails ...
Pancake Bay Nature Trail – 3.5 km (Easy)
The trail begins along the dramatic Lake Superior shoreline, takes you over forested ancient beach ridges, through a fascinating wetland and then ends along a shallow meandering creek. Highlights of the trail include a boardwalk crossing the wetland, spring and summer wildflowers and a huge billion year-old conglomerate boulder. (Source: Ontario Parks)
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A ONE BILLION year old conglomerate ... (on the right) |
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This one was in a mostly shaded area but 'found the light'. |
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Flowers |
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Nurse stump |
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Something died, something lived. |
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| Pitcher plant |
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I'm sure this is an Elm stump ... see the twisted sinew. |
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This butterfly stayed with me for several minutes. I was able to observe it collect and then drink from the tiniest water droplet that it had curled onto it's proboscis ... fascinating. |
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